The State of Medicaid Under the Second Trump Administration
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

The State of Medicaid Under the Second Trump Administration

A new presidential administration often brings shifts in health care policy, and Medicaid is no exception. As one of the largest health programs in the United States, Medicaid provides critical coverage to millions of low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children. Polling data demonstrates that a huge number, two thirds of Americans, have a connection to Medicaid. Understanding the direction the Trump administration is taking on Medicaid is essential to protect and expand universal health care.

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The State of Medicare Under the Second Trump Administration
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

The State of Medicare Under the Second Trump Administration

Under President Donald Trump's administration, Medicare is expected to experience changes that align with Republican priorities. The new approach is unfolding with the recent nomination of TV personnel Dr. Mehmet Oz for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The administration has claimed it will protect Medicare from cuts and address financial sustainability issues caused by growing enrollment and rising costs… READ MORE

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How Could Single Payer Healthcare Benefit Workers and Business Owners?
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

How Could Single Payer Healthcare Benefit Workers and Business Owners?

The U.S. healthcare system imposes a significant toll on people in Oregon and impacts their physical well-being and financial stability. High medical costs often force residents to choose between essential care and other necessities and lead to delays in treatment and worsening health outcomes. Many Oregonians forgo preventative care due to prohibitive costs, which results in increased emergency room visits and chronic conditions that could have been managed with timely intervention.

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Should healthcare be Considered an American Right?
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

Should healthcare be Considered an American Right?

Freedoms and liberties are the basis of determining laws and services in the United States. Should Americans have a right to use our healthcare system? Does limiting our access to our healthcare system inhibit our freedom to utilize our other guaranteed rights?

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What is a Prior Authorization?
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

What is a Prior Authorization?

Prior authorizations, or pre-authorizations, are a way for private healthcare insurance companies to make more money and reduce the number of covered procedures1. Private insurance companies require doctors to fill out lengthy forms to get approval for prescribed treatments and will often make to forms difficult to complete… READ MORE

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What is Medicare Advantage?
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, has become more and more popular as an alternative to traditional Medicare. As of 2022, 48% of Medicare users had a Medicare Advantage plan. This is an increase from 22% in 2008. 

What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare? How do Medicare Advantage insurers profit off our confusion? How do I know what kind of Medicare plan is right for me? 

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Consequences of the Optum/Corvallis Clinic March 2024 Merger
Luke McDonald Luke McDonald

Consequences of the Optum/Corvallis Clinic March 2024 Merger

House Bill 2362 was passed through the Oregon legislature and signed into law by Governor Kate Brown in 2021. This new law created the Health Care Market Oversight Program (HCMO), which oversees all health care mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation transactions in Oregon. HCMO evaluated a proposed transaction between the Corvallis Clinic and Optum Oregon. READ MORE

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What’s Wrong with ACOs?
Mike Huntington Mike Huntington

What’s Wrong with ACOs?

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are part of a pilot program, designed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), with the express goal of identifying approaches that reduce costs or improve quality of care. Our investigations show that instead, for-profit ACOs take public money intended for Medicare beneficiaries and funnel it to their investors without showing any measurable improvement in quality of care. Here are the facts:

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SB 1089 Governance Board Nominations!
Mike Huntington Mike Huntington

SB 1089 Governance Board Nominations!

The Universal Health Care Governance Board established by the passage of Senate Bill 1089 (SB 1089) has nominated its members! The nine nominees are listed in-full in this post. The confirmation hearing is scheduled for February 6th, time TBA.

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A Doctor’s Word On The Corvallis Clinic/Optum Oregon MSO Merger
Mike Huntington Mike Huntington

A Doctor’s Word On The Corvallis Clinic/Optum Oregon MSO Merger

I am Bruce Thomson, MD retired from private medical practice, and I am opposed to the current proposed merger of the Corvallis Clinic with Optum Oregon MSO. I am an advocate for the state of Oregon living up to the recent amendment of Oregon constitution, as voted on by the voters in Oregon in 2022, regarding access to affordable equitable health care for all in Oregon.

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Care Oregon Merger?
Mike Huntington Mike Huntington

Care Oregon Merger?

Thoughts from Mid-Valley Advocates on the Care Oregon Merger and questions that need to be answered.

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